GAME PREVIEW: Tarleton State at Utah Tech

ST. GEORGE, Utah (Interstat) — The Western Athletic Conference series between Tarleton State and Utah Tech opens Friday at Burns Arena, with both teams jockeying for position near the top of the league standings.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT.

The Trailblazers (27-15) host the Texans (28-16) in a three-game set that could have significant postseason implications. Utah Tech enters on a high note after an 8-3 win over UNLV on Tuesday, while Tarleton State dropped a 9-7 decision at Texas A&M earlier that same day.

Tarleton State’s offense has been potent but inconsistent. The Texans took three of four from Utah Valley last weekend, scoring 13, 8 and 12 runs in consecutive victories before falling to the Aggies. Outfielder Rayner Heinrich has been a steady presence at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs in Tuesday’s loss. Over his last 10 games, Heinrich has recorded multiple hits in five contests and driven in at least one run in seven of them.

Utah Tech counters with third baseman Ryan Kroepel, who also went 3-for-5 with two RBIs against UNLV. Kroepel has been productive both at the plate and on the mound, logging scoreless relief appearances in two of his last three outings. He collected RBIs in consecutive games against BYU and Utah Valley earlier this month.

The Trailblazers split a four-game series at California Baptist last weekend, winning the second game 10-1 before getting shut out in the finale. Utah Tech’s pitching staff will need to contain a Tarleton State lineup that has scored at least seven runs in seven of its last 10 games.

The Interstat game simulator projects a tight contest, favoring Utah Tech 7-6.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Burns Arena. Tarleton State then returns home to face Texas-Rio Grande Valley, while Utah Tech travels to Texas-Arlington. Both teams also have midweek matchups later in May against nonconference opponents.